Help Willard Birts keep his life on track while he is in custody, awaiting trial in May. Over the past two years, Willard has built a successful detailing business after spending 38 years of his life in prison for non-violent drug-related crimes.

As many of you know, I was lucky enough to have met Willard Birts in
2015 while at Stanford. Willard was a participant - and later a proud
graduate - of Stanford Law School's Project ReMADE program, which
helps formerly encarcerated individuals rejoin the workforce through entrepreneurship.

As Willard's "business mentor," I won the jackpot. Willard
walked into the program on Day 1 with a full business plan,
handwritten with careful penmenship on 15 pages of paper. He'd even
priced out his expected costs to the cent. Embracing his love of
caring for cars, Willard quickly launched Magic Hands, an eco-friendly
mobile auto detailing business. With a lot of sweat, Willard has since
built Magic Hands into a successful business with 4.5 stars on Yelp!

Willard has become an incredibly important person in my life. His
focus and resilience are inspirational. He has moved forward with his
life after spending 38 years in prison, last for a non-violent
drug-related crime. When I marvel at his ability to work two jobs, in
addition to managing his detailing business, he reminds me that
anything is easy when you've lived through the hell of prison.

It is with a heavy heart that I tell you that Willard is now facing
legal trouble. He insists on his innocence and is scheduled for trial
in May. His bail is high because of his prior record from the 80s and
90s, so he will have to remain in custody until May.

I've been visiting him at the Redwood City jail, and he remains calm
and resolute that "truth will prevail." He spends his days
reading the penal code and books that I've mailed him, counseling
younger men who are new to the system, and meditating.

Many of you have asked how you can help during this stressful
time. More than anything, your thoughts about sweet Willard mean the
most. That said, if you would like to donate, here's what you'll be
supporting: you will help me ensure that Willard's life
remains on track when he gets out in May. You will help pay
for things like his monthly car payments between now
and then, so that he can return to his detailing business as
soon as he's out.

If you'd like to support in a non-monetary way, please send me book
suggestions! I've already sent Willard so many books that the guards
have told him to ease up, but I'm going to keep them coming.

I'll leave you with a quote from the most recent letter I received
from Willard: "I just received all of the books today. Thank you
for providing me with them to help keep my mind on the right track -
on the struggle to pull myself up out of poverty. I first started
reading Shaka Senghor's Writing My Wrongs, but I had to put the book
down after a few pages because it made me cry. I knew it would be
telling a story somewhat of my own life on the streets and being
locked away in some prison over 38 years of my life. I can feel his
pain like every other new African black man growing up in America. The
U.S. Constitution states that no person shall be deprived of life,
liberty, or property without due process of the law...Every time in my
life I do my best, others keep trying to hold me down. It only makes
me stronger...helps me to get back up to fight another day."

Thank you, friends, for all of the support that you show me everyday.
I feel lucky to have you in my life.

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